Imaginational Anthem: Volume 5

Imaginational Anthem Volume 5 is the first volume in this long-running series not compiled by Tompkins Square label boss Josh Rosenthal but by young guitarist Sam Moss, and refreshingly offers some curveballs. The most rewarding contributions to this series have consistently been those that venture furthest from contemporary solo guitarist clichés — colonialist ethno-meandering, Takoma flashbacks, and modal fantasias — and this fifth volume is no exception.

Jordan Fuller’s exciting prepared guitar style on “I Think We’ll Be Happy Here” is imbued with a nervous, clattering . . .

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Townes Van Zandt :: Live – Minneapolis, MN, 1973

There's a collection of unreleased Townes Van Zandt recordings from 1971-72 coming out in a few weeks. I haven't heard a note of it, but I'm going to go out on a limb and call it one of the best releases of 2013. The years 1968-1973 were Van Zandt's peak period, with classics pouring out of him at an astonishing rate. The albums he released during that time -- Our Mother the Mountain, Townes Van Zandt, Delta Momma Blues, High . . .

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Samuel Yirga :: Abet Abet / Guzo

Samuel Yirga is a talented, young jazz pianist from Addis Ababa. His music is indebted to the “Golden Age” of Ethiopian music, that funky mish-mash of Western jazz and East African folk styles that was popular in “swinging” Addis before the 1974 Communist revolution. However his style is even more cosmopolitan, grabbing at all sorts of Carribbean rhythms and inflections as well as the work of modern jazz players. There’s a smoothness to his style that shares an aesthetic with players like Keith Jarrett or George Winston: Yirga’s got a very clean, fluid way about playing . . .

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The Uniques :: The Love I Saw In You (Was Just a Mirage)

Originally by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, this poppin’ rendition by The Uniques belongs to the band’s lead singer, Keith “Slim” Smith. His full voice had soul, and his falsetto sounded unhinged, unpredictable, manic–in a word: exciting. Bunny Lee’s production bounces with pep, and The Uniques’ harmonies are unusual, tightly responding to Smith’s lead. During the bridge sections, Smith breaks away from fellow Uniques Lloyd Charmers and Jimmy Riley, punctuating the chorus with upper register gasps and bleats. It’s a ragged and passionate performance . . .

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Tim Hecker And Daniel Lopatin :: Instrumental Tourist

Despite David Byrne and St. Vincent gracing the decommissioned altar of the Church of St. John the Baptist, despite Win Butler and the Strokes’  Nik Fraiture running a charity basketball game in McGill’s shoebox-sized gym, despite even a homecoming set by Grimes, the most-hyped performance at Pop Montreal this September was the premiere of new work by drone maestro Tim Hecker. Call it home cooking--Hecker, though a Vancouver native, lives and works in Montreal--but his at the very-much-in-service Church of St. John the . . .

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Turquoise Wisdom: Like A Coat From The Cold (A Mixtape)

Turquoise Wisdom here with another installment of my Sad Seasons mixtape series for AD. This time around we're thinking about winter. ps- I have officially joined the future and started a 'lil website to regularly post jams from my record collection, that's here: playitasitlathes.com. Onward! zc/tw

1. Terry Callier - Dancing Girl (excerpt) - What Color Is Love - Cadet (w/ a sampled introduction by Gil Scott Heron. RIP to both of you.)
2. Robert Wyatt - Biko - Work In Progress - Rough Trade . . .

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The Lagniappe Sessions :: Tashaki Miyaki (The Flamingos / Replacements)

Lagniappe (la ·gniappe) noun ‘lan-ˌyap,’ — 1. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 2. Something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus.

Aquarium Drunkard's Lagniappe Sessions return with  Tashaki Miyaki. Here, the ethereal Los Angeles dream-pop three piece lay down a resonating, haunting rendition of The Flamingos "I Only Have Eyes For You", coupled with a narcotized take on the Mats "Unsatisfied". Drummer and vocalist Lucy Miyaki, in her . . .

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SIRIUS/XMU :: Aquarium Drunkard Show (Noon EST, Channel 35)

Our weekly two hour show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35, can be heard twice every Friday — Noon EST with an encore broadcast at Midnight EST.

SIRIUS 276: Jean Michel Bernard — Generique Stephane ++ Loose Fur - Hey Chicken ++ Fuzz - This Time I Got A Reason ++ Brian Eno - Needles In The Camel's Eye ++ Ghetto Cross - Still ++ Atlas Sound - Doctor ++ Cass McCombs - The Same Things ++ Chris Cohen - Optimist High ++ Pet Politics - The Ghost Mary And Her Friends ++ Jana Hunter - New Orleans . . .

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MV & EE :: Space Homestead

Space Homestead finds Matthew Valentine (MV) and Erika Elder (EE) continuing their association with taste-making label Woodsist, and offers a fine summation of the group’s distinct brand of naturalist boogie and rural Beat music. Recorded at various locales over an undetermined amount of time and featuring various co-conspirators including Woods’ Jeremy Earl, Sunburned’s John Maloney, and J Mascis, Space Homestead feels like an ideal entry point into an intimidating but rewarding discography.

MV & EE do . . .

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Clover :: Mr. Moon

Speaking of the Band, here's one from an old mix I put together entitled Band Not Band. In short, the homemade compilation consisted of tunes from stylistically simpatico artists -- most of whom were contemporaries of the Band (e.g. Goose Creek Symphony, shack-era Link Wray, etc). Here's the song that kicked it off, Clover's "Mr. Moon" -- a little slice of country rock, a la The Big Pink,

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The Byrds And Earl Scruggs :: You Ain’t Going Nowhere

Taken from the excellent Earl Scruggs: The Bluegrass Legend: Family and Friends -- the 1972 flick that captures Scruggs and his two sons playing with the Byrds and Dylan, then taking a pilgrimage to Joan Baez's Laurel Canyon home. Get your mind off the wintertime. words/ m garner

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Mike Cooley :: The Fool On Every Corner

Mike Cooley was born too late. Had he come of age in the era of Willie and Waylon, there’s little doubt he’d have given the greats a run for their gambling chips, blessed as he is with a booming voice reminiscent of Cash, a distinctive guitar style, and above all, the songs to contend with the legends. This is not to say he hasn’t had at least one lucky break — as a founding member of Drive-By Truckers, he’s had the privilege of playing in one of the greatest rock and roll bands America’s produced . . .

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The Band :: Genuine Bootleg Series 4: Crossing The Great Divide

Happy New Year -- The Band's Genuine Bootleg Series 4: Crossing The Great Divide.

"3 CD The Band bootleg released in 1997, not to be confused with the official Across the Great Divide box set. This is the third release in The Genuine Bootleg Series, for some reason sub-titled Take 4. The two first bootleg boxes, The Genuine Bootleg Series, and The Genuine Bootleg Series, Take 2, were mainly filled with Dylan material. Take 4 only has a small amount of Dylan content that is available elsewhere. A Take 3 . . .

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New Year’s Eve :: AD Presents Black Lips, New Orleans

Once again: New Year's Eve with Black Lips. New Orleans - One Eyed Jacks. The Orwells and King Louie's Missing Monuments join the festivities. We're giving away three pairs of tickets to AD readers. To land a pair, leave your name and email address below. Tickets waiting at will-call night of show; winners notified via email . . .

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